# NTSB CHI87LA091: Beech BE 36, N12KT, Alma, MI, March 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1987, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Alma, MI
- Coordinates: 43.370948, -84.650581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3709&lon=-84.6506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA091

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, HE DETERMINED THAT BOTH GAS TANKS WERE FULL AND 'EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER.' AFTER APRX ONE HOUR OF LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PLT ENTERED A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RWY 27 AT GRATIOT COMMUNITY AIRPORT, ALMA, MICHIGAN. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THEN SWITCHED TO THE OTHER FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS FULL, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER 'ENCOUNTERED ENGINE OUT.' ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE OBSERVED THE TANK INDICATOR AND CHECKED THE FUEL SLECTOR VALVE, WHICH 'SEEMED TO BE FIRMLY IN PLACE.' THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY, IN A DITCH PARALLEL TO THE RWY. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE HAD NO FUEL IN ITS SYSTEMS. THE #6 FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP WAS DRY. WHEN THE SELECTOR VALVE WAS MOVED TO THE LH AND RH POSITIONS, WITH THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP ON, THE ENGINE HAD FUEL FLOW OUT OF THE ENGINE FUEL PUMP OUTLET TO THE FUEL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12KT-2011-07-25), registration cancelled 2011-07-25, S/N E-1193, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech BE 36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1193
- Airframe hours: 1587
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520 8A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bonanza Aircraft Leasing Co.
- Registered owner: Bonanza Aircraft Leasing Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Airport: AMN, Gratiot Community, runway 27, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 835 total, 346 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 29 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870307005309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870307005309A), Mar 7, 1987: Beech A36, Alma, MI, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation in the pattern. The pilot mistakenly switched the fuel selector to off.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.